Previews

Metal Gear Online

The Metal Gear Solid series is giving the competitive online thing another go.

Spiffy:

It seems like Konami is dedicated to supporting and enhancing the game over the long term.

Iffy:

There might be a whole lot of monetized downloadable content in its future.

The New York Comic Con opened its doors today, and in regards to anything gaming-related (barring resin Marcus Fenixes and ill-advised cosplayers), the pickings are lean, frankly. One highlight: Metal Gear Online, fully playable by means of eight networked demo stations. (A beta test is also currently running for a few lucky PS3 users -- details here). Like thirsty dervishes happening upon a desert oasis (or Star Wars kids en route to a buffet of poached space frogs and Tusken Raider Taters), show-goers were eager to seize the DualShock 3s and experience the Metal Gear Solid series' second unlikely foray into competitive multiplayer gaming.

"I see you enjoy Role-Playing Games."

In Metal Gear Online, the first think you'll do is create a customized avatar by choosing separate bits from a number of categories. Unfortunately, NYCC attendees weren't able to sample that part of the experience -- every demo station on the show floor had a pre-created character that loaded into every match. Before each round starts (and inbetween spawns when you die during one in progress), you'll be able to select a load-out. You can chose from a variety of primary weapons (assault rifles, sniper riles, and shotguns), as well as sidearms and accessories (like Claymore-style mines and various types of grenades, including one that temporarily reveals enemy locations on the map). Every character came equipped with a "stun knife," and our host mentioned that other sorts of secondary items, like rations, will be available.

The matches followed a four-on-four team deathmatch format, though the game allows for a maximum total of 16 players. They all took place on a single map, which consisted of a domed central structure, surrounded by catwalks, with a ground surface replete with cover-providing wall fragments, as well as a modest system of tunnels. Overall the map was very constraining, and barring the network of catwalks (which weren't easy to get to unnoticed, since climbing the stairs to them put you well in the open), it seemed to favor surprise attacks and close-quarters fighting.

The control scheme is more or less intuitive -- it wasn't difficult to get into the rhythm of tucking against walls, crouching behind obstacles, and rolling through gunfire, per the dictates of the situation. The shooting felt a little flighty; you have to actively aim your weapon with a shoulder button before you can fire it, meaning no firing from the hip. Any attempt to do so will have you punching air. Also, shooting while moving causes your reticle to go wide, making it harder to hit your target. It certainly looks like Konami's going for a precise, tactical approach to the combat, which made it a little hard to appreciate in such an impromptu context.

Classified

Indeed, a few of the game's finer points were elusive during today's demo. For one, the "Sons of the Patriots" system through which squad members will be able to exchange tactical information via nanobots didn't factor into the demo matches. It's a safe bet, though, that this has a lot to do with the hasty match setup on the show floor; it would be surprising if this crucial feature weren't implemented into the imminent beta. Communication via the Codec was also limited to generic preset messages, since the demo stations weren't equipped with keyboards or headsets to enable the chat and voice communication features. There also wasn't any sign of the skill progression system beyond a few arcane values tallied up at the end of each match. It looks like we'll have to wait until the beta launch proper before we're able to customize our avatars and relish their ever-increasing stats.

Metal Gear Online is set to hit open beta this Monday. If you've preordered Metal Gear Solid 4, chances are you're all set to go. If you haven't, then head over to FilePlanet and put your name in the hat. Konami is calling the MGO package that will ship with Metal Gear Solid 4 a "starter pack." Whether this means that MGO has a whole lot of card game-style "booster packs" in store for the future is anyone's guess.